Combination dispensing and disposal device



July 1, 1958 2,841,275

COMBINATION DISPENSING AND DISPOSAL DEVICE D. SCHWIMMER ETAL Filed June 16, 1955 United States Patent COMBINATION DISPENSING AND DISPOSAL DEVICE David Schwimrner and Morton Schwimmer, Teaneck, N. J., and George A. Sierer, New York, N. Y.

Application June 16, 1955, Serial No. 515,888

3 Claims. (Cl. 206-57) This invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to a combination dispensing and disposal device especially adapted for dispensing single use items which require special disposal.

Absorbent tissues being available at low cost are in wide use for various blotting, absorbing and wiping uses. Frequently the material or substance which has been wiped may readily contaminate or soil still further articles so that immediately after the use of the absorbent tissue, it is desirable to place the same in a container which will serve to isolate the contaminated tissue, and to prevent the same from having any further soiling or contaminating action. Since such additional container to receive the soiled tissues is not normally. conveniently available, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a unitary structure which has both a storage capacity for unused tissues, or the like, as well as a chamber adapted to receive and isolate the soiled tissues.

Another object herein lies in the provision of structure of the class described, which may be compact and which may expand as needed to accommodate the soiled tissues.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a storing .dispensing device, which although presenting a trim and compact appearance, is capable of alteration in use so that the same may be enlarged to accomplish its functions.

A still further object herein lies in structure of the class described wherein auxiliary disposal elements may be selectively used and selectively disconnected from the storage element.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a device of the present character which adequately isolates soiled tissues, so that even when they contain infectious matter, the clean or unused tissues may be maintained in a substantially sterile condition. 1

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that even though the present device affords the means for the different uses described above, yet the same may be packaged and handled to present a relatively normal appearance, and to occupy only a slightly increased cubic area on the dealers shelf.

Another feature resides in the fact that by virtue of the simple structure hereof, the same may be manufactured in large quantity at low cost with consequent wide distribution and use.

7 A distinct advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that as the used tissues are placed at the bottom in the isolating element, this automatically raises the pile of unused tissues, so that a fresh tissue is always conveniently disposed at the top of the container ready for instant use.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in this specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure '1 is a fiagmentary view In perspective showing an embodiment of the invention in opened condition.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view reduced slightly.

Figure 3 is a reduced vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 33 on Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a reduced view in perspective showing the completed device in compact condition.

In accordance with the invention, thedevice, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a main storage element 12, a disposal element 14, a second disposal element 16, and third and fourth disposal elements 18 and 20. I

The main storage element 12 comprises a top wall 22, a front wall 24, a rear wall 26 and end walls 28.

The main storage element is preferably generally of box-like configuration, and has disposed therewithin an isolating element 15. The element 15 is preferably of a size and shape to permit the same to be urged against the inner surfaces of the walls of the main storage element by the first contents which may comprise a stack of clean folded absorbent tissues. The isolating element is preferably composed of a thin flexible moisture-resistant material, .such as, for example, sheet synthetic resin. while we prefer to make the isolating element of thin polyethylene, other thin flexible water-resistant materials such as, natural or artificial rubber, resin impregnated cloth, cellophane, cellulose acetate, and/ or vinyl copolymer may be used.

The top wall 22 is provided with an elongated orifice 32 through which the contents 30 may be subsequently removed, and in Figure 1. there is seen the top most tissue 31 projecting therethrough. The bottom wall 34 of the isolating element 15 forms the bottom of the main storage element 12 serving to support the pile of contents 30, and in the initial positioning of the parts, said bottom wall 34 is in turn supported by the base wall 36 of the first disposal element 14. The upper wall 38 is provided with an opening 40 which coincides with the elongated orifice 32 and thus permits the contents 30 to beremoved through the aligned orifice 32 and opening'40. This is best seen on Figures 2 and 3. In order to assure this alignment, and for more sturdy construction, the borders of the opening 40 and the orifice 32 may be adhesively secured together, or otherwise connected.

The lower portion of the rear wall 26 has an accordion member 27, while the lower portions of the end walls 28 have accordion members 29. The front wall 24 has a lower edge 25 which is disposed preferably above the level of the bottom wall 34. This permits the front wall portion 42 to be distorted inwardly for the passage thereby of used tissues ll. Disposed forwardly of the front wall 24is a chute wall 44 which at its lower portion is provided with an accordion member 45, and at the ends thereof with gussets 46 and 47. The lower edges of the accordion members 27, 29 and 45 are joined to the base wall 36.

Secured to the undersurface of the base wall 36 is a platform member 50 which preferably extends not only under the base wall 36, but into the second, third and fourth disposal elements. Thus the extension into the disposal element 16 is indicated at 16a and into the third and fourth disposal elements at 18a and 20a.

Since the second, third and fourth disposal elements are substantially identical, it will be noted that they each have top walls 52, 54 and 56, and accordion members 58, 6t? and 62. The said walls 52, 54 and 56 are provided with entrances 64, 66 and 68, through which used or soiled tissues or the like may be inserted into the respective disposal elements. While these are shown as relatively large openings, they may be smaller and may be wa1ls'54 and 56 are nexttothe portions 13a and a with thesaccordion membersr60 andt62 collapsed. The

, partsinay bemaintained originally in this position by having'been subjectedto heat and vpressure, or an auxiliary wrapping (not shown) may be used. Another method of maintaining the parts, in as compact a fashion as is desired is by' the use .of frangible adhesive connections which can beseparated by the user as required. 7

'Ihe upper edge of'thechute wall 44 may be maintained close to the wall24nby an adhesive tab 74 which can be parted bythe users thumbnail as required. Thus, the package in Figure 4 appears to be substantially identical with the'normal package for absorbent tissues, which are to be discarded after use in some other container. Should it be desired to use the disposal elements which are part of the device 10, the user may break the tab 74 and pull the chute wall 44 forward so that it will appear as shown in Figure l. Now the user may place soiled tissues down between the chute wall 44 and the front wall 24 into the first disposal element 14. Since the chute wall 44 is substantially as long as the first disposal element, the

soiled tissues may be properly distributed so as not to indisposal elements is adjusted and arranged to accommodate the reasonably expectedbulk of the soiled or used tissues indicated by the dot dash lines 1 t l r 2,841,276.

the same underlies the lowest tissue in the pile, and when of such size, is adapted to engage against the rear andend walls where they join the accordion members therebeneath. Such structure results in the weight of the tissues.

being carried by the lower portions of the rear and end walls and the stitiening element thereby acts to prevent premature expansion of'the collapsed accordion members a as they are in the devicefat the beginning of the use of the device.. t V g The distribution of the pressure of the used tissues results also in less pressure on the pile of unused tissues,

thereby reducing 'the'frictionroccurring when single tisslits or similar type openings in the, accordion members thereof through which the soiled tissues may be inserted. We wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

We claim:' 1 V 1. Arcombination dispensing and disposal device for use in conjunction with disposable tissuesrand the like, comprising: a top wall having an opening for the removal of tissues therethrough, first and second side walls and a pair of end walls all interconnected to said top wall at substantially right angles, a base Wall interconnected by expansive accordion folds to said end' walls andsaid v .first side wall; an isolating element formed of thin flexible such as might be contained in the cubic capacity of the main storage element and the isolating element 15. It

ing 40, as well as the opening 32, may be closed in a well known 'manner by the provision of astrip frangibly joined to the top wall 22.

While the isolating element'is adapted to provide sup-- port for the unused tissues-which are stored therein, and

to -be-locally distortable'by'theinsertion of the used tissues thereby, certain advantages result from the use of a stiffening element 89 which is interposed between the upper surface ofthe bottom wall 34 and thellowermost surface of the bottom tissue 30. When'so placed, the same may rest there by being confined by the surround- 1 ing parts, and by gravity. This stifiening element 80 also assists in handling the stacked tissues during the loading 'of the device during its manufacture; It is also feasible to secure the, stitiening .elementto the unders'urface of'the bottom wall 34 in any suitable manner, asrfor example, by the use of adhesives. When the bottom wall 34 is stiffened, pressure caused by clumping of the used tissues are distributed, tending to reduce-thee likelihood of rupture of the 'wall 34 Similarly, the bottom wall 34 may be stiffened also by suitable means such as thickening the same 'or varying the contents of the material of which it is made. -The area of the stiffening element is substantially coextensivelwith the area of the bottom wall34 where 75 which is s enclosed, space for the storage 10f unused tissues within said enclosureg'said isolating element having an upper moisture resistant material of shape generally conforming to the enclosure formed by said top, side and base wall, and having a bottom wall disposed above said base wall forming with said base wall and accordion folds an enclosed space for'thestorage of unused tissues within said enclosure; said'isolating. element having an upper wall having anopening aligned with the opening in said top wall, the edges of said openings being interconnected; said second side wall having a lower edge disposed substantially above the levelrof said bottom wall of said isolating element thereby forming an opening permitting the insertion of 'used'tissues between said base wall and said bottom wall. a a t Y 2. A combination dispensing and disposal device for use in conjunction with disposable tissues and the'like,

comprising; "a top wall having an opening for the removal of tissues the'rethrough; first and second side walls and a pair of end walls all'interconnected to said top wall at substantially right angles; a base wall interconnected by wall having an opening aligned with theopening insaid top' wall, the edges of-said openings being interconnected;

saidsecond sidewall having a lower edge disposed'substantially above the'jlevel of said bottom, wall of said isolating elementthereby formingan opening permitting theinsertion of used tissues; between said base wall and a said bottom wall, and a chute wall interconnected through accordion folds to said base wall and said end walls, the,

lower portion of which :;overlies said last-mentioned opening; f l

ofjtissues therethrough, first and second side walls and a pair of end walls all interconnected to said top wall at substantially right angles, a base wall interconnected by expansive accordion folds to said end walls and said first side wall; an isolating element formed of thin flexible moisture resistant material of shape generally conforming to the enclosure formed by said top, side and base wall, and having a bottom wall disposed above said base waJl forming with said base wall and accordion folds an enclosed space for the storage of unused tissues within said enclosure; said isolating element having an upper wall having an opening aligned with the opening in said top wall, the edges of said openings being interconnected; said second side wall having a lower edge disposed substantially above the level of said bottom wall of said isolating element thereby forming an opening permitting the insertion of used tissues between said base wall and said bottom wall, a chute wall interconnected 15 2,070,931

through accordion folds to said base wall and said end walls, the lower portion of which overlies said lastmentioned opening; and an auxiliary tissue disposal ele- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,445,593 Iscowitz Feb. 13, 1923 1,725,271 Hedman Aug. 20, 1929 1,760,106 Beach May 27, 1930 1,951,408 Haven Mar. 20, 1934 1,978,806 Medofl Oct. 30, 1934 Taylor Feb. 16, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 464,373 Great Britain Apr. 16, 1937 

